Basics of Interior Detailing

Have you ever noticed how so many car owners spend all of their time ensuring that the exterior of the car is finely detailed and free of any dirt or debris, but tend to ignore the finer points of interior detailing? The odd thing about this tendency is that all of us spend far more time on the inside of the car than standing around the outside admiring its spit-polish finish!

When considering the interior detailing of any car, there are two main areas of concern: the cloth materials of the seats and similar breathable areas of the car, and the harder surfaces like the vinyl of the dashboard and the various metal and transparent surfaces of the car’s interior. Interior detailing is not rocket science, and can be accomplished by any car owner who has the time and patience to go through the cleaning process.

Car interior detailing should begin with a thorough vacuuming using a real shop vacuum or a standard home vacuum cleaner. Though there are a number of smaller units that allow you to plug directly into the lighter, none of these have the power you will need to perform a complete vacuum job. Before you vacuum, remove floor mats and other removable elements of the interior so that you are able to vacuum all surfaces. If the seats will come out of the car, removing them as well can make your detailing job a lot easier.

Use a specially made interior detailing cleanser for the hard surfaces, applying the cleanser with a damp cloth. Be sure to wipe the cleansed area dry with a soft towel as quickly as you can. For areas with stains, you can use a typical stain remover to break up the unsightly mess. The key to cleaning the hard surfaces is to pay attention to the details. Use cotton tipped swabs to clean the hard to get to areas of the vents, as well as grooves and indentations in the dashboard. A standard glass cleaner is perfect for interior detailing of the dash display.

When it comes to the broad cloth areas, it is easy to clean them with a good wet vacuum or carpet cleaner. Be sure that you limit the amount of liquid that you use on any given area of cloth, particularly if you do not have the time necessary to properly dry the seats and other cloth areas. Your interior detailing count for nothing if your car ends up smelling of mildew after you are done!

As for the floor mats, you can simply power wash them as you clean the exterior of the car. Use a brush to break up any stubborn dirt, and dry them thoroughly prior to replacing them in the car. If you are like most people, your floor mats attract some of the heaviest concentrations of dirt, mud, and debris. Fortunately, they are one of the easiest parts of the car to clean during any interior detailing effort.

Interior detailing does entail an attention to the cleaners and towel types that you use. As a general rule, it is always best to use mild cleansers and microfiber towels when performing any interior detailing, to prevent unintended marring of the hard vinyl or plastic surfaces. When the interior detailing job is complete, your car should once again provide the comfort and enjoyment you deserve.